Sgt 17123 William Douglas Gunson

• Age: 27
• From: London
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Wednesday 11th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: VIII.E.13

William Douglas was born at Upton Park, West Ham, London in 1890 the son of William Douglas Gunson and his wife Bridget (nee Rothery). 

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 17 Khedive Road, West Ham, London. Head of the household is Bridget shown as a married woman born in Everton, Liverpool in 1853. He is listed on the records as Douglas W,  11 years of age and at School. He has 3 elder sisters; Lillie b. 1879 in Liverool, Essie b.1886 in Liverpool and Hannah b.1889 in Plaistow, Essex. Also present is a visitor Amy Natzler. 

The 1911 Census finds Douglas listed as William Douglas a single man and a clerk b. at East Ham in 1890.  He is living at 40 Victoria Road, Great Crosby, Liverpool with his father also William Douglas who is shown as head of the household, born at Calder Bridge in 1849 and a retired engineer. Also in the household are his sisters Essie Gunson  and Hannah Bailey and her husband Ernest Tisdale Bailey and Aa child described as a Granddaughter Doris Gunson b.1908 at Seaforth, Liverpool.

His mother Bridget is living at 14 Sefton Street, Litherland along with her daughter Elizabeth Shaw who is married to John Fletcher Shaw, they have 4 children, Lilian Shaw, John William Shaw, Gladys Gunson Shaw, Henry Douglas Shaw. Also present is Hannah Shaw the sister of John Fletcher Shaw and Bridget's sister Esther Rothery.     

Douglas married Florence Hopgood on 08/06/1912 at West Derby Register Office.

He enlisted in Liverpool on 02/09/1914 joining the 18th Battalion as Private 17123 giving his age as 24 years and 250 days and his occupation as a Clerk. He is described as being 5'3 and three quaters, weighing 113lbs of fresh complexion with blue eyes and fair hair. He advised that he had previously served with the 5th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment.

He served in France from 07/11/1915. He attended Grenade school in March 1916. He was promoted to Corporal on 09/05/1916, before being wounded in action on 15/05/1916 (GSW back) he returned to duty on 22/05/1916. He was made Acting Serjeant on 02/07/16 before being promoted to Serjeant the following day. He was on leave to the UK from 05/12 - 18/12/16. He was badly wounded on 09/04/1917 (GSW Hip and abdomen) and sadly died of his wounds on 11/04/1917, aged 27, at No. 20 Casualty Clearing Station.

He now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery.

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from other smaller cemeteries.

The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

His family evidently were informed that he had died on 10th April as they placed notices in the Liverpool Echo on 29th December 1917:

“In loving birthday remembrance of my dear husband, Sergt W. D. Gunson (Doug), K.L.R., who died from wounds received in action, April 10, 1917. - 25 King Street, Waterloo.”

“In loving birthday remembrance of my dear son, Sergt W. D. Gunson (Doug), K.L.R., who died from wounds received in action, April 10, 1917. 10 Lytton Grove, Seaforth.”

In loving birthday remembrance of our dear brother, Sergt W. D. Gunson (Doug), K.L.R., who died from wounds received in action, April 10, 1917. - Hannah and Ernie, 10 Lytton Grove, Seaforth.”

His effects were sent to his widow Florence Gunson in August 1917, she was living at 25 King Street, Waterloo, Liverpool.

She never remarried and died in 1973. 

Douglas is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 47 Left 

We currently have no further information on William Douglas Gunson. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.